FACING a blank wall on the source of a petroleum leak, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay directed the evacuation of some 60 families residing at the West Tower Building in the village of Bangkal.
“I ordered the evacuation after consulting and a recommendation with the Makati Disaster Coordinating Council and the Makati Fire Station headed by its fire chief, Samuel Tadeo,” Binay said.
The First Philippines Industrial Corporation (FPIC) is digging along the area to check on the leak in the oil pipeline that runs from Pandacan oil depot to Batangas.
The City Government received reports that the leak originated at Basement 2 of the West Tower, prompting the deployment of emergency personnel and equipment to the area last June 12.
But more than a month after, FPIC could not yet determine the exact substance that is coming out from the affected building.
The local chief executive said they are now preparing additional contingency plans to ensure that the leak is contained.
The building is now declared a “hot zone adding it will stay as such until probers will be able to trace the source of the gas leak.”
“We already ordered the stoppage of electrical operations in the West Tower because there is now a different environment in the basement four of the West Tower," Binay said.
He noted the presence of fumes and the continuous release of fuel in the area. (AH/Sunnex)